These beetles are phoretic parasitoids, like certain meloid beetles.  Females lay eggs into flowers and the hatchlings, called triungulins, then hitch a ride with visiting solitary bees.  Carried to the bees' nest, they become internal parasites of the host larvae. Eggs are laid - here on composite - on buds that will soon bloom. Apparently, the idea is to have the young ready to fly off to their new "families" as soon as the flower is ready for the bees' visits.

Text by Hartmut Wisch and Ron Hemberger

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